The Chautauqua Center in Dunkirk has received $1,893,750 in federal funding.

The funding is part of $396,801,375 in emergency federal funding for 63 community health centers across New York state as part of the American Rescue Plan to help expand COVID-19 vaccination, testing, and treatment for underserved populations.

“New York’s Community Health Centers are a cornerstone of the state’s healthcare system and have been our frontline armor in the battle against COVID-19, especially in underserved and disadvantaged communities where COVID hit the hardest,” said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York and Senate majority leader. “This critical federal investment, that I fought to secure in the American Rescue Plan, will help Community Health Centers maintain their vital operations, providing health care to those at high risk of contracting COVID-19, and continuing to administer vaccines to as many New Yorkers as possible.”

Distribution of funding will begin in April through the Health Resources and Services Administration. HRSA-funded health centers are community-based and patient-directed organizations providing primary health care to high-need urban, rural and frontier communities across the country. Health centers serve one in 5 people living in rural communities and one in 11 people nationwide. More than 91% of health center patients are individuals or families living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and nearly 63% are racial or ethnic minorities.

Specifically, the funding will deliver preventive and primary health care services to those at higher risk for COVID-19 and expand the facility’s operational capacity during the pandemic and beyond, including modifying and improving physical infrastructure and adding mobile units.

“In the midst of this global pandemic, people across New York are turning to Community Health Centers for affordable primary and preventative health care,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York. “CHCs provide a wide-range of services to some of our most underserved populations and this funding will help address the pandemic challenge and the health disparities it has exacerbated within our communities and ensure these centers can continue providing quality care to every New York community. Due to strained financial resources, hundreds of these vital centers have been faced with closure when health care services are needed more than ever. I am proud to have fought and helped secured this funding in the American Rescue Plan, and I will continue fighting to provide CHCs with the critical resources they need to thrive.”